Relay for Life to support cancer fight

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT), Sybil Blau NEWS-TIMES CORRESPONDENT

Published
1:00 am EDT, Thursday, June 10, 2004

"Townwide, the support has been phenomenal. Almost 1,000 people are participating." That's how Dawn Escoda described the local response to the town's first Relay for Life, this Saturday evening through early Sunday morning at Newtown High School stadium."Support has far exceeded what we expected," said Escoda, who with Yvette Gerics is chairwoman of this event. Honorary chairmen are the Zarifis family, parents Elizabeth and Jim, son Jimmy and daughter Michelle. Jimmy had a malignant tumor removed in October 2002 and is on the road to recovery. The relay, in which teams of walkers have at least one member on a pathway at all times, is an American Cancer Society program. It is an overnight event designed not only to raise money, but to celebrate survivorship and remember those lost to the disease. So far, 65 teams of 10 to 15 people each are expected to walk in the relay. Teams have been forming since late this winter, but that's not all the support that's come forth. Businesses, both large and small, school aged children, organizations, clubs, teens, some town agencies and churches have run fund-raisers in conjunction with the relay. Private individuals have made donations."Every restaurant and food establishment in town is contributing to or in some way supporting the relay," Escoda made a point of saying. Though the relay itself begins at 7:45 p.m. - to music by "Charisma" - there will be a Survivors Reception, with music provided by Mary Beth and Gary Sippin, from 5 to 7 p.m. Games and activities for children, such as a moonwalk, sand art and facepainting will take place at the same time. The opening ceremony for the whole event is at 7 p.m. with a survivor and caregiver's lap set for 7:30 p.m. A luminaria ceremony honoring survivors and remembering those lost to cancer is set for 9 p.m. A power point presentation set to music and put together by Ed Wolf of the NHS Tech Club showing survivors and those lost to cancer, accompanies this observance. A variety of activities and music are planned for 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. to keep teams active, alert and on their toes. These include Jerry Hornack the Magician, theme laps, contests, aerobics and yoga by The Gym at Newtown, games by Girl Scout Troop 809, ice cream from the Ice Cream Shop and a cheerleading presentation by Newtown High School Cheerleaders. The relay's closing ceremony is at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday; the relay officially ends at 7 a.m."People need not have signed up for anything in order to participate or show their support," Escoda said. "Don't hesitate to stop by the school. You can come down and walk a lap or two or even sit and cheer on teams. Any way you show your support is welcome."